European Security — 2026-06-30

Erdogan Demands Turkey Inclusion in EU 150-Billion-Euro SAFE Defense Initiative Ahead of Ankara NATO Summit

BLUFErdogan's SAFE access campaign will extract rhetorical solidarity at the Ankara summit but cannot overcome the Greek veto and absent security agreement blocking actual EU defense funding.

Erdogan addressed parliamentary delegates from all 32 NATO member states in Istanbul on Monday, calling for Turkey's full inclusion in the EU's 150-billion-euro Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defense procurement initiative 123. He also demanded removal of all barriers to defense industry trade between NATO members, with the statement delivered one week before alliance leaders convene in Ankara on July 7-8 12. Under current SAFE rules, non-EU suppliers are capped at 35 percent of component costs in funded weapons programs, and full Turkish access would require a bilateral EU-Turkey security agreement plus unanimous approval from all 27 EU member states 2. Greece has threatened to block such access, and European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier confirmed no bilateral agreement with Turkey currently exists 2.

Analysis
Erdogan's Istanbul address, carried only by Anadolu Agency and without independent European or NATO-source corroboration, cast Turkey's SAFE demand as a NATO-wide issue rather than bilateral EU-Turkey business, constraining Greece's ability to exercise a blocking veto in that forum. Structural barriers remain intact: no EU-Turkey security partnership exists, the 35-percent component cap applies by default, and Athens has publicly committed to block. Trump's anticipated F110 engine announcement in Ankara dissolves CAATSA friction but touches no EU-administered SAFE constraint. The demand may instead be deliberate overreach, building bilateral pressure on Athens that Ankara can trade against separate Greek-Turkish disputes. Ankara leaves the summit with improved US defense optics but not the bilateral security agreement full SAFE access requires. Moderate confidence: the documented structural requirements and Athens' public commitment to block show no movement ahead of July.
5 sources
  1. Erdogan says Turkey must be included in European defense plans ahead of NATO summit - Turkish Minute
  2. Türkiye Must Be 'Included' in Europe Security Structures, Says Erdogan - Asharq Al-Awsat
  3. Turkey must be 'included' in European security structures: Erdogan ahead of NATO summit - Al Arabiya
  4. Türkiye's full inclusion in EU defense efforts vital for Europe's peace, security: President Erdogan - Anadolu Agency
  5. Turkey must be 'included' in European security structures, Erdogan says - The Times of Israel

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